i need help writing an annotated bibliography, and cite the work. and i don't know how to get started on data-my topic is "why are so many black young mens killing each other. or should i write about sucide commited by yong people
I can't tell you what subject to write about, but I can tell you to choose something you REALLY want to know more about. It'll probably be too broad a topic, so you'll have to work hard to narrow it down. If you choose "suicide among young people," you'll have a terrible time researching (way too much information!) and you'll write a bunch of generalities instead of a good focused paper. Here's a link to help you with narrowing the focus of a topic:
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/narrow.htm
And here's a wonderful website that helps you through the process of researching and writing: http://ipl.org/div/aplus/ Use the links at the right -- Step by Step and Info Search.
OK -- now for annotated bibliographies --
Here are a couple of links that will help. Make sure you know whether you are to use MLA or APA guidelines for paper and reference citation.
http://lib.skidmore.edu/library/index.php/li371-annotated-bib
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/
Please feel free to re-post if you have more questions.
To get started on writing an annotated bibliography and citing your sources, follow these steps:
1. Define your research question: Before you begin collecting sources, clarify your topic. Based on your examples, you mentioned two potential topics: "Why are so many black young men killing each other?" and "Suicide committed by young people." Choose the topic that interests you the most or that you think you can find more research on.
2. Identify relevant sources: Start by conducting research to find credible academic sources related to your topic. Use academic databases such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, or databases specific to the field you are studying. Also, consider using books from libraries, reputable news sources, and government publications. Keywords to use in your search may include "black violence," "youth homicide," or "youth suicide."
3. Evaluate your sources: Once you have found potential sources, evaluate their credibility and relevance. Look for peer-reviewed scholarly articles, books written by experts, government reports, or reputable news sources. Ensure that the sources you choose are recent and provide valuable information related to your research question.
4. Create an annotated bibliography: An annotated bibliography consists of a citation followed by a brief paragraph (annotation) that summarizes, evaluates, and reflects on the source. Each annotation usually consists of an introduction, a summary, an evaluation, and a reflection.
- Introduction: Start with a citation in the appropriate format (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) for the source you found. Include the author's name, title, publication details, etc.
- Summary: Summarize the main points and arguments presented in the source. Highlight the most relevant information related to your research question.
- Evaluation: Assess the credibility, reliability, and objectivity of the source. Consider the author's expertise, the research methodology used, and any potential biases.
- Reflection: Reflect on how the source contributes to your research. Discuss how it relates to other sources you have found, and if it supports or challenges existing ideas or theories.
5. Cite your sources: Depending on the citation style required (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), create citations for each source used in your annotated bibliography. Consult a style guide or use online citation generators like EasyBib or Citation Machine to help you format your citations correctly.
Remember, an annotated bibliography is not just a list of citations; it provides additional context and analysis of each source. Take the time to critically evaluate and reflect on each source to create a more comprehensive bibliography.